Access to Community-Based Early Childhood Development in Kaberamaido District– Eastern Uganda

Abstract

In Kaberamaido district, access to community-based early childhood development (ECD) was limited, with only a tenth of eligible children (3-5 years) enrolled in formal pre-primary education due to limited community-based ECD centres with low enrolment, they lacked state funding and were managed by untrained volunteers. ECD is crucial as it supports children's overall development. The study was to understand and explore what makes community establish and strengthen additional number of ECD centres to increase access to communitybased ECD and enrolment by children (3-5 years)eligible for formal education. Qualitative method was employed, this included gathering statements and opinions, reviewing monthly reports from resource persons, examining program and education departmental reports, and conducting community visits and interviews with caregivers and ECD centre management. Content analysis was done to analyze and report the data. External intervention and basic training for church leaders contributed to the establishment and management of additional community-based ECD centres. The linkages between churches, and district education department facilitated externally contributed to the success. There was a total of 11 ECD centres and only 8 were functional after the COVID-19 lockdown; these served 6 parishes and 74 villages¹. By September 2023, the number of children with access to early childhood learning increased from 9% to 25% of 1846, and the number of functional centres increased from 8 to 14. Total of 466 children (231 boys and 235 girls) enrolled. Further study on ‘learning outcomes’ of these children enrolled at ECD centres would add value in comprehensiveness of the study.